I just got off the phone after doing a radio interview about The Girl From Devil’s Lake with Neil Scott for Recovery Radio Coast to Coast. Allow me to say, I LOVE doing phoners. Unlike Zoom calls, phoners require zero hair and makeup attention, and they don’t demand business attire, either. I can sit in a comfortable chair in my living room without having to worry about proper lighting, computer connections or whether or not my makeup looks blotchy. In other words, doing the interview was fun.
What’s not fun is that the Mariners lost. On the other hand, the Seahawks won, so I guess it’s time to file Monday night’s games in the drawer marked: Win some; lose some.
With interviews and events for the new book winding down, it’s time for me to get back to writing. The next Ali book, Smoke and Mirrors, is written and still hanging out in New York awaiting editing attention. That means it’s time for me to turn back to J.P. Beaumont and get cracking on Fools Errand.
More than forty years after writing the first Beau book, I’m happy always glad to be back in touch with J.P. et al. That’s the only way I can find out what’s been happening with him while my back has been turned. That does happen, you know. Characters go on with their lives between books, and when it’s time to start a new book, they have to bring me up to date. In Beau’s case, you’ll be happy to know that Kyle, the grandson who moved in with Beau and Mel at the beginning of Den of Iniquity, is now a college graduate. Oh, and Kyle’s mother has recently remarried. As of yet, no one has bothered cluing me in about what Kyle’s dad has been up to.
When I was writing Until Proven Guilty, the first Beaumont book, I struggled for months to get the story to jell. It simply would not go. Finally though, in March of 1983, while my kids were at Camp Orkila for Spring Break and I was on my way to Portland to visit a friend, I decided to try writing the story through the detective’s point of view. While the train was still pulling out of the King Street Station, I got out paper and pen and wrote the following words: “She might have been a cute kid once. That was hard to tell now. She was dead.”
The moment I wrote that scene, I was on the back side of Seattle’s Magnolia Bluff, walking around a crime scene in J.P. Beaumont’s shoes, seeing what he saw, hearing what he said, hearing what he heard, and also—even more importantly—hearing what he was thinking. Beau and I have been author and character ever since, for 42 years and 26.1389 books. (By the way, I count the words every day, and that’s what 12,653 words equal—13.89% of a 95,000-word book!)
I started out writing Beau’s books in the first person, and I’ve stuck with it. When one of my more recent editors tried to move him into third person for Unfinished Business, that turned out to be a complete dud. In first person he comes alive. In third person he’s nothing but a paper-doll cardboard cutout.
In writing Fools Errand, however, I’ve encountered a unique problem. Twinkle Winkleman, from Nothing to Lose and Girls’ Night Out, shows up as a character in this story. In Nothing to Lose, she stayed in her third-person lane and didn’t cause any trouble. In Girls’ Night Out, however, she was first person all the way, and she’s doing the same thing in Fools Errand.
In other words, not only is this story told in a first-person narrative, it’s told in DUELING first-person narratives. Readers who are offended by the use of first-person in storytelling—and I know there are some—might want to give this book a pass.
Here endeth this week’s blog. It’s time for me to get back to the book. I have a deadline that’s actively ticking, and I’m eager to find out what happens next.
Thank you for bringing back Twinkle Winkleman; I love that character. JP is a favorite also and I like hearing what he has to say. I was stationed in Seattle, WA in the Navy during the late 80’s to 1990, and your books were lifesavers as I navigated some intense personal and professional setbacks.
I just loved this. I love when you write about your process. I love how you describe how your characters come to life and how you struggle with things like who’s telling the story. Thank you.
Oh boy! Another Ali book is coming and also another J.P. too! I am eager to get them both!!
I just love hearing how you write. And also love the first-person type, especially your Beau books. He was “my first” of your books. I found “Second Watch” doing an Amazon search for books on Vietnam. Of course that book had a lot about his memories. But that’s when I got hooked and have read ALL your books, now twice. I was almost tempted for a third time around, but thought I’d give a break to all your characters. But I’m sure now there will be a third time your books.
I do enjoy the books I read on the Vietnam War though. Not sure if “enjoy” is the right word, but my brain does get into them. Not the novels, but the memoir type.
Anyway, thanks for the teaser about the upcoming Beau book. Can’t wait.
I love reading your blogs as much as I love reading your books. It always lets me know there is another book on the way and that makes me happy. To know there’s another Beaumont book makes me even happier! Keep writing!
I want to wish you a HAPPY BIRTHDAY which is arriving on Monday. Eighty one is the number of years that the world has been enjoy you. Tell Bill that he has to wait on you hand & foot all day, so enjoy it.
All the best from Fuller Brush Land.
Alex.
I’m laughing again! So often something you write gives me a good chuckle. This time it was your last comment, about being eager to find out what happens next. It’s so fascinating to me that your characters can be carrying on with their lives while you’re busy writing about one of the others, like they have a mind of their own.
Any books you have written are great.
Alex beat me from being the first to wish you a Happy Birthday, but let me be the first to wish Happy Birthday to Beau. He will also be 81 on Monday.
Excited to know there will be another Beau book, and I love that he is in first person and that Twinkle will be there also.
Blessing to you and Bill.
I will never pass on any of your books – NEVER!
I love your books and I love your blog. You’ve mentioned 80 as an age. You should look at Ceisious. You would be almost 27.
About baseball, and other games: “Win some; lose some; the rest get rained out.”
Texas Aggies do not lose games. They are out scored, or the clock ran out: neither has happened to this year’s football team.
I really enjoyed listening to The Girl from Devil’s Lake.
I’m excited to hear you still love writing! We’re on a R.V. camping trip and I brought along the first of the Beaumont series. He’s HOOKED!
I’m so happy!
However J.P. and Twinkle show up, they are most welcome in our home. Luckily characters, same as humans, have different seasons of life. Just like spice, it’s very nice.
Happy Birthday, JAJ!!! Woohoo!!!
Celebrating YOU is a gift to be sure. May each day of your next year being filled with joy and delight, comfort and strength, love and light.
You are treasured.